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Project Overview: In this workshop, students will use some of the research skills they were introduced to in the Kingspark History Project to explore five periods in the historical development of New York City. In addition, the students will use their findings on New York City to explore how urbanism has influenced the development of the United States. Working in small research teams, the students will develop a research question and, using both primary and secondary source material, answer the question, reporting their findings in an argumentative essay. These essays will then be uploaded onto the internet to an interactive timeline website (www.xtimeline.com). “The Making of a Metropolis” workshop is the first part of a two-part seminar on urban life. It will introduce students to themes that will be further developed in Jessica Fei’s workshop on the urban experience in literature and the arts.


Framing Questions for the Introduction to Ric Burns's "New York: A Documentary Film."

  • According to Ric Burns, what is New York City? What makes it unique? What gives it its particular personality?
  • What role does ethnic/racial diversity and capitalism play in the nature of the metropolis?
  • Is this the New York City you regularly live in? How does your New York City compare to the one depicted by Ric Burns?

Remember to include specific information from the documentary in supporting your statements.


Research Team Topics:

Searching for the Soul of America--Selecting the New Nation's Capital

The Nexus of Two Worlds--The New York City of 1825

Creating an Imperial City--The Consolidation Plan of 1898

Rising from the Waters--Manhattan and its Skyscrapers

Making over Metropolis--Postwar New York City

Useful Links:

Website: How to Write a data-based question.

http://regentsprep.org/Regents/ushisgov/examoverview/dbq.htm

Online visual dictionary/thesaurus.

Visuwords Online Dictionary

Graphic organizers.

Online Webbing Graphic organizer

Timeline Graphic Organizer

Essay buildings websites.

Writing a Good Thesis Statement

Constructing an Argumentative Essay

Proofreading Tips

Modern Language Association Citation Guide